Backstop and Portable Training System for a Bat-and-Ball Games

ABSTRACT

A backstop for training of a bat-and-ball game has a body with a central portion flanked by a side portion on either side. Each side portion is adjustable at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to the central portion so that the backstop is capable of standing upright on a supporting surface. There are target areas on the body, each configured to act as one portion of a hook and loop fastener for attaching to a corresponding portion of the hook and loop fastener on an item of sporting equipment such that when contact is made between a target area within the backstop and said sporting equipment, the target area fastens to said sporting equipment thereby interfering with movement of said sporting equipment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to backstops and portable training systemsfor bat and ball games and in particular for cricket.

BACKGROUND

Playing nets are used for training in the playing of bat-and-ball gamessuch as cricket. The purpose of playing nets is to act as abackstop—that is, to stop the ball travelling out of a designatedplaying area when the batter hits the ball, thus saving time andminimising the need for fielders. Therefore, playing nets are useful fortraining, and for when playing “backyard”, “street” or “beach”cricket—when typically there are few or no players to act as fielders tocover the playing area.

Playing nets are typically supported by a fixed frame or posts so thatthe assembled net stands well above the height of the player (e.g.cricket nets typically stand between 2.5 metres to 3 metres high).

Cricket nets consist of an elongate rectangular cricket pitch (thecentral strip of the playing area) into which two wickets are placed(one each at opposing ends of the cricket pitch) and a net surroundingthree sides of the playing area, with the bowling “end” left open.Similar playing nets exist in the form of baseball batting cages, forbaseball.

Playing nets may be installed as a permanent structure on many ovals,cricket centres, clubs and schools. “Portable” nets are available—forexample, in the form of:

-   -   (a) foldable nets or practice cages that can be extended to        their full length for use then folded away to save space;    -   (b) a mobile net system (tunnel cage), in which the cage-style        frame is mounted on wheels for mobility.

However, these “portable” nets utilise a metal frame and are stillsubstantial in structure (e.g. the resulting structure of the foldablecricket net stands at over 2.5 metres in height), making them unsuitablefor many home environments or as a portable system to transport to apark.

The playing of ball games in the backyard or at a park or beach has along history in many cultures. Various portable devices have beendevised for playing ball games outdoors, including portable soccer nets.However, these devices are generally not suitable as backstops forbat-and-ball games like cricket, baseball, softball, tennis or golf.

In soccer and basketball, the entire portable backstop (net or goalpost)serves as a target so that a ball landing anywhere within the areadefined by the backstop will result in a score. Bat-and-ball games aredifferent because the backstop may serve a dual purpose of stopping aball from exiting the playing area behind the batter, but alsopresenting a target which, if hit, can cause the batter to get out. Forexample, in cricket hitting the wicket and causing the wicket to “break”will cause the batter to be “out”. Therefore, the playing of cricketinvolves protecting the wicket (target) behind the batter from ballsbowled toward the batter.

Various portable bat-and-ball game targets are available, such as:

-   -   (a) U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,719: a ball target for practising golf,        including a rectangular frame mounted on unidirectional rockers        and a mesh net secured within the perimeter of the frame. The        device is configured so that when a golf ball is driven into it,        the force of impact causes the frame to rock backwards on the        unidirectional rockers (to tilt the top of the frame away from        the golfer);    -   (b) U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,423: a pitching target including a        self-supporting frame (A-shaped at each end) and a weighted,        flexible screen (having a “strike zone” depicted on it) hanging        from a crossbar at the top of the frame. A trough positioned        beneath the screen receives balls impacting on the screen and        falling downwardly therefrom; and    -   (c) U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,555: a target scoring device formed of        resilient material such as a net supported by elastic members        and a frame, with a complex mechanical trigger system that shows        when the target has been hit;    -   (d) U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,485: a baseball pitching target        comprising a rectangular peripheral frame staked to the ground        and having a mesh backstop having a centrally located insert        that represents a target (e.g. with sight indicia representing        parts of the baseball environment such as a catcher's mitt).        Pitched balls that hit the strike zone are collected in a        compartmentalised ball-receiving bag. Balls that miss the strike        zone are projected back toward the pitcher by the action of the        spring-mesh structure of the backstop.

However, none of the above ball game targets is suitable for use incricket, since the configuration of target area within a strike zone, orthe strike zone generally, are not appropriate for playing cricket. Inbaseball and softball, a ball is pitched toward a batter standing nearthe home plate or base but there is no need to protect the home platefrom the pitcher during pitching. U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,719 is a targetthat sits in front of the batter and therefore is not suitable as abackstop for games such as cricket. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,719 andU.S. Pat. No. 4,643,423 are cumbersome to assemble and bulky totransport. U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,555 involves a complex trigger mechanismwith various moving parts unsuitable for scoring in cricket as thetrigger target is tilted away from the player. U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,485does not involve moving parts but the trampoline action of the backstopis not suitable when playing ball games such as cricket, particularlywhen cricket is played with a tennis ball or other similar ball sincethe backstop will tend to sling the ball too far in a direction awayfrom the target.

It would be useful to have a backstop suitable for use in bat-and-ballgames such as cricket, and that is suitable for use in the typical homeenvironment or as a portable system to transport to a park or otheroutdoor playing area (e.g. for playing cricket or backyard cricket—thelatter also known as street cricket, beach cricket or gully cricket).Typically, backyard or street cricket is played using a ball having alooped (including fibrous) fabric surface such as a conventional tennisball or any similar inflated ball having a fibrous felt, fabric, hair orwool covered surface. Tennis balls are commonly used in this contextbecause they are less likely to inflict injuries than a cricketball—they are also cheaper and more readily available than conventionalleather-covered cricket balls and easier to hit due to differentaerodynamics than cricket balls.

AU 2003100878 describes a cricket training apparatus for use in cricketnets. The apparatus includes shaped target devices to affix to thesidewall nets of a cricket net. While the apparatus is intended for usein improving player skills by providing a mechanism for players tovisualise the correct placement of shots, it needs to be secured to acricket net. Therefore, AU 2003100878 suffers a disadvantage in that itsuse is limited to circumstances in which a cricket net is readilyavailable.

AU2008101055 describes a portable training aid for use in practising thegame of cricket. The training aid includes a target that is located infront of an arrestor, the arrestor including an opening and one or morewalls behind the opening. Balls that miss the target will be stopped bythe arrestor in an area behind the target, while balls that strike thetarget will rebound away from the training aid and generally be found infront of the target. However, AU2008101055 cannot differentiate betweenballs that strike the target but still pass through the opening of thearrestor and balls that miss the target and go directly through theopening of the arrestor. The former balls would result in the batterbeing “out” while the latter would not.

It would be useful to have a readily transportable and assembledbackstop and portable system for use in ball games such as cricket andthat also provide players with a target, so as to improve player skills.It would be useful if the target could provide a more reliableindication of whether or not a target area representing a wicket or afielder has been struck. None of the prior art devices above is able toprovide an indication of when a target area has been struck by a bat—asituation that affects scoring which is unique to cricket—or when ascoring event such as a ball caught by a fielder has taken place.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved oralternative backstop for a bat-and-ball game such as cricket, andincluding one or more target areas on the backstop to improve playerskill with both bat and ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a bat-and-ballgame backstop for cricket including:

-   -   (a) a body made of suitable material to aid in preventing a ball        thrown towards a batter from exiting a playing area, wherein:        -   i the body comprises a central portion flanked by a side            portion on either side; and        -   ii each side portion is adjustable at an angle less than 180            degrees relative to the central portion so that the backstop            is capable of standing substantially upright on a supporting            surface; and    -   (b) one or more target areas on the body, wherein each target        area is configured to act as one portion of a hook and loop        fastener for attaching to a corresponding portion of the hook        and loop fastener on sporting equipment        -   such that when contact is made between:        -   i. a target area within the backstop, and        -   ii. said sporting equipment,    -   the target area fastens to said sporting equipment, thereby        interfering with movement of said sporting equipment.

The invention thus provides a backstop for a bat-and-ball game such asbackyard cricket, including one or more target areas on the backstop forimproving player skills. The invention overcomes the problems ofexisting backstops, which are generally not suited for backyard cricketor too cumbersome and bulky for most home environments or fortransportation to a park or other outdoor playing area.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may beperformed, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way ofnon-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawingsand example.

FIG. 1 is a front view of one arrangement of a preferred embodiment of abackstop for a bat-and-ball game according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of a backstop for abat-and-ball game according to the invention, showing securing means forretaining the backstop in a substantially upright state during gameplay. Securing means are shown at each end of the backstop and, as shownin ghost, intermediate to the ends.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another arrangement of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows two view of exemplary sporting equipment in the form of aball suitable for use with the backstop shown in any of the precedingFigures.

FIG. 5A is a front view of a conventional tennis ball or other similarfibrous or felt covered ball.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a modified ball (e.g. a cricket ball orrubber ball) with a portion of looped fabric for use with a target areaproviding corresponding hooked fabric.

FIG. 6 is a back view of exemplary sporting equipment in the form of acricket bat suitable for use with the backstop shown in any of thepreceding Figures.

FIG. 7 shows two views of an embodiment of an independent target areaaccording to the invention.

FIG. 7A is a front view of an independent target area showing patches orstrips of hook and loop fastener.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 7B, shown fromthe back and demonstrating an exemplary support means.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE BACKSTOP

The invention provides a new or alternative backstop for a bat-and-ballgame such as cricket, including one or more target areas on the backstopfor improving player skills. The invention overcomes the problems ofexisting backstops and portable target devices, which are generally notsuited for cricket or too cumbersome and bulky for most homeenvironments or for transportation to a park or other outdoor playingspace.

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the backstop 100 isillustrated. The preferred embodiment 100 includes:

-   -   (a) a body 103 made of suitable material to aid in preventing a        ball thrown towards a batter from exiting a playing area; and    -   (b) one or more target areas (depicted by the shaded areas        labelled 120) on the body 103.

The backstop is suitable for assembly on grass, sand or around aconcrete cricket pitch and enables cricket to be played without the needfor fielders. The target areas provide player feedback and enablescoring without relying on visual assessment, complex scoring devices orcollection means such as a ball pocket or bag, which are inconvenient touse when there is a small number of players because it interrupts gameplay.

The Body

The body 103 is made of material such as a polyester or nylon material(e.g. trilobal, shade cloth) or other material suitable for heavy dutyor sporting use and relatively resistant to damage from contact with thehooked fabric element of hook and loop fasteners.

In the preferred embodiment 100, the body 103 includes a central portion105 with a side portion 110 on either side. The body may be made fromcontinuous or discrete, adjoining portions. In one arrangement, theportions of the preferred embodiment are configured as shown in FIG. 1.In an alternative arrangement, the portions of the preferred embodimentare configured so that the body takes the form of an arc (see FIG. 4).

The backstop 100 is configured so that it is able to be self supportingin an upright state (i.e. substantially perpendicular to a supportingsurface such as the ground 115—as shown in FIG. 1). The backstop 100 iscapable of being self supporting by virtue of:

-   -   (a) the relative positioning of the side portions in relation to        the central portion. As shown in the arrangement of the        preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the side portions 110 of        the body 103 are able to be positioned on an angle relative to        the central portion 105. In the arc arrangement showing in FIG.        4, the angle of curvature of the side portions relative to the        angle of curvature of the central portion achieves the same        result as the angled arrangement between side and central        portions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The side portions        are delineated from the central portion in the arc arrangement        shown in FIG. 4 by dashed lines; however, as for the arrangement        in FIG. 1 these portions may be continuous or discrete adjoining        portions; and    -   (b) the inclusion of attachment means on the body. The        attachment means provide the ability to attach the backstop to        support means such as battens (not shown in FIG. 1). The support        means enhance the structural rigidity of the backstop 100.

The positions of the side portions 110 relative to the central portion105 of the embodiment in FIG. 1 are better seen in FIG. 2, which shows atop view of the preferred embodiment of the backstop 100. The anglebetween the side portions 110 and the central portion 105 of the body103 is depicted by the letter X. When measured from the front of thebackstop (that is, the surface of the backstop facing toward the playingarea in which the batter and bowler are positioned), the angle is lessthan 180°, preferably between around 90° and 155°, and ideally around135°. The ability to adjust the angle enables the backstop to be adaptedfor use in a range of locations—e.g. on different types of supportingsurface such as on grass or sand, or configured around a concretecricket pitch.

The support means may be any suitable elongate shaped solid materialsuch as a batten, post, pole, pipe, guide or other (such as wood,fibreglass, metal [e.g. aluminium], rigid plastic, rubber, etc). In thepreferred embodiment, the backstop is appropriately attached to supportmeans which provide the required structural rigidity to assist inretaining the backstop 100 in an upright state. The support means alsoact as pivot points about which to angle the side portions 110 relativeto the central portion 105. In this way, the support means act to definethe side perimeters of each portion of the backstop 100.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the body of the backstop isattached to support means (such as a batten) at each of its free ends(at the points marked A) and pivoted around the support means (e.g.batten) at each point of inflexion (i.e. where the central portion meetsa side portion—see the points marked B). The attachment means can be anysuitable means for attaching the support means to the body, includingreversible attachment means (e.g. ties, strips of hook and look fastenerattached to the body, channels on the body for receiving the supportmeans) and/or permanent attachment means such as glue, rivets and thelike.

In one arrangement, the support means sit on the ground. In anotherarrangement, the support means (e.g. battens) are able to be partiallyinserted into the supporting surface 115 (e.g. lawn or sand) to furtherenhance structural rigidity.

In the arc arrangement, there may be additional support means such asbattens to provide structural rigidity to the body along its curvature,inserted into channels along the curvature of the body (indicated inghost by the item labelled 170).

Target Area(s)

The preferred embodiment also includes one or more target areas on thebody. These are represented as the shaded areas labelled 120 in FIG. 1,which are illustrated by way of example only.

Each target area 120 provides one portion of a hook and loop fastener(exemplary arrangements are depicted in FIG. 4) so that when contact ismade between a target area and sporting equipment bearing thecorresponding portion of the hook and loop fastener, the sportingequipment is capable of fastening to the target area. This correspondsto a scoring event (e.g. a caught ball or a wicket being knocked over)and provides player feedback during use.

For example, the target area may provide a hooked fabric surface havingone or more hooks capable of hooking on to one or more loops of a looped(including fibrous) fabric surface. Thus the target area is capable ofattaching to sporting equipment having a looped (including fibrous)fabric surface upon contact, such as a tennis ball or other ball with asimilar surface, or a modified cricket bat having a strip of loopedfibrous fabric attached to back of the bat. Conversely, the target areamay be configured to act as the loop portion, capable of attaching tosporting equipment bearing a corresponding hook portion.

In this way, each target area is configured to act as a portion of ahook and loop fastener, while a tennis or other sporting equipment witha suitable surface provides the corresponding portion, for fastening thesporting equipment to a target area within the backstop when contact ismade between the target area and the sporting equipment. The fasteningof sporting equipment to the target area corresponds to a scoring event.

For example, a tennis ball 180 (FIG. 5A) or a modified ball 190 (FIG.5B) of any kind (e.g. cricket, leather, rubber or plastic) covered witha strip of one portion of a hook and loop fastener ( ) bowled toward abatter in the playing area that strikes a target area behind the batterwill fasten to that target area. In the preferred embodiment, at leastone target area represents a wicket behind the batter (e.g. the targetarea has the appearance of a wicket and includes strips of hook and loopfastener positioned along the parts of the wicket that represent thestumps and bails). A ball fastened to the target area representing thewicket indicates that the wicket has been hit by the bowled ball. A ballstruck by the batter and fastened to the target area representing thewicket also indicates that the wicket has been hit by the struck ball.

Similarly, a modified cricket bat 200 (FIG. 6) or other similar hittingapparatus 200 having a strip of, say, looped fabric surface attached,say to the tip or back of the bat, which fastens to the hooked(corresponding) fabric surface of the target area representing a wicketindicates that the batter has struck the wicket with the bat. In allthese examples, the sporting equipment fastened to the part of thetarget area representing a wicket indicates that the batter is “out”.

One or more target areas are positioned on the body of the backstop soas to represent (including taking on the appearance of) one or morecomponents of the playing area (e.g. a wicket, a fielder, a base, net orfence). Contact between a target area and the sporting equipment (ascorresponding portions of a hook and loop fastener) interferes withmovement of the sporting equipment. This interference with movement(e.g. fastening of a ball to a target area representing a wicket)provides feedback to a player during game play, training or practice, bysimulating a scoring event.

In some arrangements of the preferred embodiment, one or more targetareas are included in addition to the wicket. These additional targetareas represent fielders. A struck or bowled ball that fastens to one ofthese additional target areas indicates a ball caught by a fielder.

The target areas are attached to the body of the backstop, say bystitching, adhesive or other suitable attachment means. In somearrangements, the attachment means are reversible (e.g. zippers,buttons, press studs, or hook and loop fasteners) to enable one or moretarget areas to be removed or added, for adjusting the level ofdifficulty of game play (e.g. the inclusion of more fielders increasesthe chances of being caught out). Reversible attachment means alsoenable fielders to be ‘portable’ so that they can be repositioned on thefield represented by the body of the backstop as desired.

Alternative Embodiments

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the backstop 130 whichincludes channels 140 for receiving support means such as battens 150into the backstop so that the backstop is securely attached to thesupport means. The channels run along the side perimeters of eachportion in a direction such that when in use the channels aresubstantially perpendicular to the supporting surface (e.g. the ground).

The support means can be retained within the channels during transport,storage and use, thereby assisting to reduce the steps involved inassembly and disassembly.

The support means 150 serve the same purpose as the support means asdescribed in the preceding discussion—namely, to provide structuralrigidity and support for retaining the backstop in an upright state andto serve as pivot points about which to angle the side portions relativeto the central portion.

The embodiment 130 also includes securing means 160 for further securingthe backstop to the supporting surface such that that the backstop isretained in a substantially upright state during game play. The securingmeans 160 may be any suitable means for securing the backstop to theground or other supporting surface during use such as:

-   -   (a) one or more guy ropes, each guy rope having opposing ends,        one end being attached to the body such as a part of the body at        or near the support means 150; and    -   (b) one or more pegs, each peg securing a guy rope to the        supporting surface,    -   such that tension on the ropes secures the backstop to the        supporting surface in a substantially upright state during use.

Assembly of the embodiment 130 thus involves the step of using securingmeans such as guy ropes and peg assemblies to secure the backstop to theground in a substantially upright state. For example, the embodiment 130includes at least one guy rope attached to a batten or post at each freeend of the backstop 130. Preferably, there are two guy ropes at eachfree end, splayed from each other and angled away from the backstop asthey travel toward the ground—as illustrated in FIG. 3. A further guyrope secures each end of the central portion, extending from the top ofa batten down to the ground at the back of the backstop (i.e. thesurface of the backstop facing away from the playing area). Each guyrope is attached to the ground by a peg, stake, spike or other suitableretaining means for securing the guy rope in position.

In experiments by the inventor, this embodiment 130 is capable ofwithstanding the rigours of outdoor use even in windy conditions. Thisembodiment can also be left assembled, say in the backyard, for severalweeks and will be maintained in a substantially upright state.

In yet another embodiment (not illustrated), the backstop is made of aprintable textile upon which is printed a wicket and one or morefielders. The wicket and fielder(s) represent one or more target areas,each of which will have attached to it a hooked fabric surface to enablefastening of sporting equipment having a looped fabric surface—asdescribed above. Other details may also be printed on the backstop. Theprinted backstop assists in simulating play as though on a sports field.

In some arrangements, the target areas may include auditory feedbackmeans such as a sound emitting device so that a sound is emitted whenthe target area is struck. An example is the sound of a ball or batstriking a wicket. This provides players with auditory feedback tofurther assist in improving player skill and to enhance the gameexperience.

A specific example of a backstop for use in backyard cricket is providedbelow.

Example 1

A body made from three continuous portions, each portion beingapproximately 1200 mm high (although up to 1800 mm is also suitable) andabout 1500 mm wide. Four channels (pole pockets) are located on thebody—one at each free end of the backstop and one at each end of thecentral portion. A readily available rigid plastic tubular post isinserted into each channel and pushed into the ground. The posts extenda few centimetres higher than the channel—so that guy ropes can be woundaround the top of the post, extending down to the ground at an angle.Tent pegs are used to secure the guy ropes to the lawn.

The body may be made from polyester printed continuously in one sheet torepresent a cricket pitch on an oval. Alternatively, the body can beprinted in sections and joined, such as at the channels (pole pockets).The print includes a wicket keeper, and, say two, fielders, plus targetareas representing the wicket and a hand of each fielder.

Assembly takes around a few minutes with two people (the minimumrequired to play backyard cricket).

Preferred Embodiments of a Portable Training System

In an embodiment, the invention further provides a portable trainingsystem for a bat and ball game includes a backstop 100 (see FIGS. 1-4)as described earlier in this document and any suitable sportingequipment that provides a portion of a hook and loop fastener thatcorresponds with another portion of the hook and loop fastener on one ormore target areas on the backstop.

-   -   Such sporting equipment includes:    -   (a) a conventional tennis or similar ball 180 (FIG. 5A) having a        fibrous felt, fabric, hair or wool covered surface;    -   (b) a modified ball 190 (FIG. 5B) of any kind (e.g. cricket,        leather, rubber or plastic) covered with a strip of one portion        of a hook and loop fastener;    -   (c) a modified bat 200 (FIG. 6), racquet or similar sporting        equipment covered with a strip or patch of one portion of a hook        and loop fastener at an appropriate position (e.g. the tip or        back of the bat—see FIG. 6).    -   In another embodiment, the portable training system further        includes one or more target areas discrete or independent from        the body. These “independent” target areas 210 (FIG. 7)        represent (typically in appearance as well as by positioning)        fielders or other components of the playing area, such as a        fence, and can be positioned separately from the backstop. This        allows the size of the playing area and/or the difficulty of        play to be adjusted further than by adjustment target areas on        the backstop alone.

The independent target areas share most of the features as target areaspositioned on the backstop described earlier in this document, otherthan being separate from the backstop. Importantly, independent targetareas include strips or patches of hook and loop fastener (an example isdepicted in FIG. 7A) so that the independent target areas are able alsoto function as the corresponding portions of hook and loop fastener tosuitable sporting equipment.

The independent target areas 210 may be free standing (achieved by anysuitable support means) and easily moveable. Examples of suitablesupport means 220 (FIG. 7B) for independent target areas include:

-   -   (a) a stake or peg for use on a soft supporting surface;    -   (b) a stand such as a bent oval-shaped stand (as shown in FIG.        7B).

The independent target areas 210 can be used as an alternative to thefull backstop if the playing area is not large enough or if supportingsurface (e.g. ground) is not suitable for inserting the securing meansof the backstop.

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the backstop and portabletraining system is that they provide a portable and simple to assemblebackstop for use in bat-and-ball games such as cricket that is suitablefor use in the typical home environment or as a portable system totransport to a park or other outdoor playing area (e.g. for playingbackyard cricket, or for training in the school or club environments).The body of the backstop can be rolled up for storage and transportation(e.g. in a bag), then unrolled for assembly. This is useful forenvironments such as schools and clubs in which it may be necessary tohave several teams playing simultaneously.

A further advantage of the preferred embodiments is that they provideone or more target areas for improving player skill with both bat andball. This is because a clear indicator of a scoring event is providedwhen sporting equipment (including balls and bats) strikes a targetarea, removing the need to rely on visual assessment, complex scoringdevices, devices such as ball bags or pockets that capture balls (whichare inconvenient to use when there is a small number of players and playmust be interrupted to retrieve a ball from a pocket or bag behind thebackstop). This makes the preferred embodiments useful as a trainingaid, whether at home or in a school or club environment (e.g. when usedas a sporting or physical education activity).

The invention provides a backstop for a bat-and-ball game such ascricket, and in particular backyard cricket, including one or moretarget areas on the backstop for improving player skills. The inventionfurther provides a portable training system for a bat and ball game,including a backstop and sporting equipment. However, it will beappreciated that the invention is not restricted to particularembodiments or applications described herein.

1. A bat-and-ball game backstop including: (a) a body made of suitablematerial to aid in preventing a ball thrown towards a batter fromexiting a playing area, wherein: (i) the body comprises a centralportion flanked by a side portion on either side; and (ii) each sideportion is adjustable at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to thecentral portion so that the backstop is capable of standingsubstantially upright on a supporting surface; and (b) one or moretarget areas on the body, wherein each target area is configured to actas one portion of a hook and loop fastener for attaching to acorresponding portion of the hook and loop fastener on sportingequipment such that when contact is made between: (i) a target areawithin the backstop, and (ii) said sporting equipment, the target areafastens to said sporting equipment, thereby interfering with movement ofsaid sporting equipment.
 2. A bat-and-ball game backstop according toclaim 1, wherein each side portion of the body is able to be configuredat an angle relative to the central portion such that the backstop isadaptable for use in a range of locations.
 3. A bat-and-ball gamebackstop according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the angle is betweenabout 90 and about 155 degrees.
 4. A bat-and-ball game backstopaccording claim 1 wherein the angle is between about 130 and 140degrees.
 5. A bat-and-ball game backstop according to claim 1 whereineach target area is configured to act as a hook portion of a hook andloop fastener, and the sporting equipment serves as a loop portion ofthe fastener, for fastening the sporting equipment to a target area whencontact is made between the target area and the sporting equipment.
 6. Abat-and-ball game backstop according to claim 1 wherein each target areais positioned on the body so as to represent a component from one ormore of the following groups: (a) a wicket or catcher; (b) a fielder;(c) another component of a playing area such that fastening of thesporting equipment to the target area corresponds to a scoring event. 7.A bat-and-ball game backstop according to claim 1 wherein the backstopfurther includes reversible attachment means for attaching the targetareas to the body to allow one or more of the following: (a) removal ofone or more target areas from the backstop; (b) addition of one or moretarget areas from the backstop; (c) repositioning of one or more targetareas on the backstop, such that the backstop is adjustable to enabledifficulty of game play to be adjusted.
 8. A bat-and-ball game backstopaccording to claim 1, wherein the body further includes attachment meansfor attaching the body to support means, the support means enhancingstructural rigidity of the backstop.
 9. A bat-and-ball game backstopaccording to claim 7 wherein the attachment means is any suitable meansfor attaching the body to the support means.
 10. A bat-and-ball gamebackstop according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means include oneor more channels on the body of the backstop such that the support meanscan be retained within said channels.
 11. A bat-and-ball game backstopaccording to claim 8 wherein the support means is any suitable elongatematerial.
 12. A bat-and-ball game backstop according to claim 8 whereinthe attachment means are positioned along the body such that the supportmeans are able to function as points of inflexion about which to anglethe side portions relative to the central portion.
 13. A bat-and-ballgame backstop according to claim 1, wherein the backstop furtherincludes a securing means for securing the backstop to a supportingsurface for further securing the backstop to the supporting surfaceduring game play.
 14. A bat-and-ball game backstop according to claim 13wherein the securing means includes: (a) one or more guy ropes havingopposing ends, one end of each said guy rope being attached to a part ofthe body; (b) one or more pegs, each peg securing an opposing end ofeach said guy rope to the supporting surface, such that tension on theguy ropes secures the backstop to a supporting surface in asubstantially upright state.
 15. A bat-and-ball game backstop accordingto claim 1 wherein the bat-and-ball game is cricket.
 16. A bat-and-ballgame backstop according to claim 1, wherein one or more target areasfurther include an auditory feedback means such that a sound is emittedwhen the respective target area is struck by sporting equipment.
 17. Aportable training system for a bat and ball game including: (a) abackstop according to any one of the preceding claims; and (b) sportingequipment.
 18. A portable training system for a bat and ball gameaccording to claim 17 further including one or more independent targetareas.
 19. A portable training system for a bat and ball game accordingto claim 18 wherein the sporting equipment includes equipment from oneor more of the following groups: (a) a conventional tennis ball; (b) amodified ball; (c) a modified bat or similar hitting apparatus.
 20. Aportable training system for a bat and ball game according to claim 19wherein the modified ball is a ball including a strip of hook and loopfastener for fastening to a target area.
 21. A portable training systemfor a bat and ball game according to claim 19 wherein the modifiedhitting apparatus is a bat including a strip of hook and loop fastenerfor fastening to a target area.
 22. A bat-and-ball game backstopaccording to claim 1, wherein the body is made of a printable textile.23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. A bat-and-ball game backstopcomprising: (a) a collapsible, self-supporting frame, wherein theself-supporting 15 frame is capable of self-supporting on a supportingsurface, and wherein the self-supporting frame is capable of selfdeploying to a self-supporting state from a collapsed state; (b) a bodymade of suitable material extending across a substantially verticalportion of the self-supporting frame to aid in preventing a 20 ballthrown towards the backstop from exiting a playing area; (c) one or moretarget areas on the body, wherein each target area is configured to actas one portion of a hook and loop fastener for attaching to acorresponding portion of the hook and loop fastener on sportingequipment 25 such that when contact is made between: i. a target areawithin the backstop, and ii. said sporting equipment, the target areafastens to said sporting equipment, thereby interfering with movement ofsaid sporting equipment.
 26. A bat-and-ball game backstop according toclaim 25 further comprising a piece of skirting material attachable tothe lower portion of the body to assist in preventing passage of a ballunder the body.
 27. A bat-and-ball game backstop according to claim 25further comprising a pocket seam extending around the upper periphery ofthe body to assist in preventing movement of the frame in a directionoutward from a midline.
 28. A bat-and-ball game backstop according toclaim 25 wherein the self-erecting frame comprises one or more loops ofresiliently deformable material, wherein the frame is bent along thecircumference to form an elbow such that a lower portion of the framesits along a supporting surface 20 and an upper portion of the framestands substantially vertical to the supporting surface.
 29. Abat-and-ball game backstop according to claim 28 wherein the elbow formsan acute angle between the upper portion and the lower portion 25 of theframe.
 30. A bat-and-ball game backstop according to claim 25, furtherincluding a reversibly attachable brace, wherein the brace is reversiblyattachable to the frame to hold the upper portion of the framesubstantially vertical to the supporting surface.
 31. A bat-and-ballgame backstop according to any claim 25 wherein each target area isconfigured to act as a hook portion of a hook and loop fastener, and thesporting equipment serves as a loop portion of the fastener, forfastening the sporting equipment to a target area when contact is madebetween the target area and the sporting equipment.